Career and Education Opportunities for Public Relations Specialists in Alabama

Alabama has a population of 4,708,708, which has grown by 5.88% in the last 10 years. Nicknamed the "Heart of Dixie," its capital is Montgomery, though its most populous city is Birmingham.

There are currently 2,260 working public relations specialists in Alabama; this should grow 20% to about 2,700 working public relations specialists in the state by 2016. This is not quite as good as the national trend for public relations specialists, which sees this job pool growing by about 24.0% over the next eight years. Public relations specialists generally engage in promoting or creating good will for individuals, groups, or organizations by writing or selecting favorable publicity material and releasing it through various communications media.

A person working as a public relations specialist can expect to earn about $19 per hour or $40,060 annually on average in Alabama and about $24 per hour or $51,280 yearly on average in the U.S. as a whole. Jobs in this field include: audience coordinator, public relations specialist , and public relations assistant.

In 2008, there were a total of 2,640,717 jobs in Alabama. The average annual income was $33,655 in 2008, up from $32,803 in 2007. The unemployment rate in Alabama was 10.1% in 2009, which has grown by 4.9% since the previous year. Approximately 19.0% of Alabama residents have college degrees, which is lower than the national average.

CITIES WITH Public Relations Specialist OPPORTUNITIES IN Alabama

JOB DESCRIPTION: Public Relations Specialist

Public Relations Specialist video from the State of New Jersey Dept. of Labor and Workforce Development

In general, public relations specialists engage in promoting or creating good will for individuals, groups, or organizations by writing or selecting favorable publicity material and releasing it through various communications media. They also may prepare and arrange displays, and make speeches.

Every day, public relations specialists are expected to be able to listen to and understand others in meetings. They need to articulate ideas and problems. It is also important that they speak clearly.

Copy Writer. Write advertising copy for use by publication or broadcast media to promote sale of goods and services.

Interpreter. Translate or interpret written, oral, or sign language text into another language for others.

LOCATION INFORMATION: Alabama

Alabama photo by Melinda Shelton

Alabama has a population of 4,708,708, which has grown by 5.88% over the past 10 years. Nicknamed the "Heart of Dixie," its capital is Montgomery, though its most populous city is Birmingham. In 2008, there were a total of 2,640,717 jobs in Alabama. The average annual income was $33,655 in 2008, up from $32,803 the previous year. The unemployment rate in Alabama was 10.1% in 2009, which has grown by 4.9% since the previous year. Approximately 19.0% of Alabama residents have college degrees, which is lower than the national average.

The top industries in Alabama include manufacturing magnetic media, asphalt shingle materials manufacturing, and perishable prepared food manufacturing. Notable tourist destinations include the Alan's Discount Music, the The Hip Hop Museum of Art, and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute.